He Quit Tennis, Was Hitting With Sharapova as a Favour — Now He's Coaching a Top WTA Player | Tom Hill
About this episode
Tom Hill shares his unexpected journey from aspiring lawyer to respected WTA coach, detailing his experiences with top players and insights into coaching.
Tom Hill never planned to be a tennis coach. He finished college, put his rackets in the wardrobe, and was planning law school. Then a chance encounter at a bar in Santa Monica led to a hitting session with Maria Sharapova. Then a call from Danielle Collins — ranked 250 in the world at the time. Eight months later she was Top 30. Then came Maria Sakkari. And six years, a Top 3 ranking and countless close-misses later, Tom is one of the most respected coaches on the WTA tour. In this episode, Tom joins Caroline Garcia and Borja for an unfiltered look inside professional tennis coaching: How he accidentally became a tennis coach — via Sharapova, a bar in Santa Monica and a visa expiry Going from 0 coaching experience to taking Danielle Collins from 250 to Top 30 in 8 months The real story of coaching Maria Sakkari to World No.3 — and why they eventually parted ways How to handle a player who's losing their confidence — what you say, and what you never say The match point Maria had against Kvitova at Roland Garros — and how that one moment changed everything Why he never sets ranking goals — and what he focuses on instead The truth about travelling 45 weeks a year with a player and…
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